Apparatus for cracking nuts at high production rates

ABSTRACT

A high production nutcracking method and apparatus is provided wherein the nuts are fed from a hopper on a feed conveyor, while being singularized and oriented in the hopper. The oriented nuts are thereafter advanced by the conveyor individually in succession to a cracking apparatus, which comprises a plurality of cracking units mounted on a rotatable turret. The rotating cracking units are cyclically controlled so as to clampingly engage and lift each oriented nut from the advancing conveyor, and so as to preserve its orientation. The nut is then cracked and thereafter released at separate spaced points along the circular path of travel of the cracking unit.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 199,743 filedOct. 23, 1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,827.

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for cracking nutsat high production rates.

In applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,275, there is disclosed a highproduction nutcracking apparatus wherein a plurality of cracking unitsare arranged on a rotatable turret, with each cracking unit having anopening adapted to receive an individual nut which is dropped from afeed conveyor as the cracking unit moves through its top centerposition. Each cracking unit includes a mechanism for then cracking thenut as the turret continues to rotate, which is actuated by a pneumaticcontrol system.

While the above nutcracking apparatus represents a significant advancein the art, its speed of operation has been limited to some extent bythe nut feeding portion of the apparatus. In particular, at very highspeeds, the nuts will not drop into the openings of the rotatingcracking unit, but rather they will tend to fly radially from themachine. Also, it is highly desirable that each nut be oriented in thecracking unit so that the cracking force is applied in the end to enddirection, and with the above prior nutcracking apparatus, theorientation of the nuts is often disrupted as they fall into thecracking units, and the desired alignment of each nut in the crackingunit is not always maintained.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a highproduction nutcracking method and apparatus which effectively overcomesthe above noted limitations in the speed of operation of applicant'sprior apparatus.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide anutcracking apparatus of the rotary turret type, and which has provisionfor effectively orienting the nuts at high speed, feeding the orientednuts in succession at high speed to the individual cracking units of therotating turret, and preserving the orientation of the nuts as they movefrom the feeding apparatus into the respective cracking units and to thelocation at which they are cracked.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision of amethod and apparatus which includes passing the upper run of a feedconveyor having a plurality of successive nut receiving receptacles,through the lower portion of a feed hopper, while singularizing andorienting the nuts into the receptacles, to thereby advance a pluralityof oriented nuts individually in succession along a generally linearfirst path of travel. The advancing oriented nuts are then clampinglyengaged in succession at the terminal end of the first path of travel byrespective cracking units mounted on the rotating turret, and so as topreserve the orientation of the nuts. The nuts are thereby withdrawnfrom the linear first path of travel, and are thereafter conveyed alonga curvilinear second path of travel, i.e., the circular path resultingfrom the rotation of the turret. A cracking force is applied to each nutat a point along the second path of travel downstream of the point atwhich the nuts are withdrawn from the linear first path of travel, andthe cracked nuts continue to be held in the cracking units, until apredetermined release point along the second path of travel is reached.

In the preferred embodiment, the turret is located above the upper runof the feed conveyor, and the upper run is disposed generally tangent tothe bottom portion of the circle defined by the rotation of the crackingunits. Thus the nuts are effectively lifted from the feed conveyor bythe cracking units, and the nuts are moved upwardly away from the feedconveyor prior to cracking.

The cracking units of the present invention include means for clampinglyengaging the nuts while on the feed conveyor, and for retaining the nutsin their predetermined orientation as the cracking unit rotates throughthe cracking position and to the release point. Also, the cracking unitspreferably include means for applying a compressive stress to each nutimmediately before and during the cracking operation.

The nuts are preferably singularized and oriented into the receptaclesof the feed conveyor as the receptacles move through the feed hopper, bymeans of a deflecting plate positioned in the hopper above the advancingreceptacles, and so as to laterally deflect the upper portion of each ofany upstanding nuts disposed in each receptacle, and thereby laterallyorient the nuts. Also, there is provided an ejecting arm positioned inthe hopper for laterally ejecting any laterally oriented nuts in excessof one from each receptacle.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated,others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nutcracking apparatus embodying thefeatures of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional front elevation view taken substantially along theline 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the singularizing andorienting means associated with the feed coveyor of the presentinvention, and viewed in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of the feed conveyor and lower portion ofthe hopper, and taken substantially along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the nut transport elements of thefeed conveyor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional top plan view of the deflecting arm of thesingularizing and orienting means, with the overlying deflecting plateshown in dashed lines, and taken substantially along the line 6--6 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional end view of the feed conveyor taken somewhatdownstream of the line 4--4 of FIG. 2, and illustrating the manner inwhich the deflecting plate acts to orient the nuts in the advancingreceptacles;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the apparatus andillustrating the drive system for the turret and the feed conveyor;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional and partially schematic side elevationview of the upper portion of the turret of the present invention, andillustrating the structure of one of the cracking units;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the mounting plate andair control bushings of the apparatus and taken substantially along theline 10--10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the cracking hammermounting structure of the present invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a nutcracking apparatusembodying the features of the present invention is illustrated generallyat 10 in FIG. 1. The apparatus includes a rectangular box-like framecomprising four vertical legs 12, 13, 14, 15, and a number of horizontalend and side braces interconnecting the legs. The upper horizontal endbraces support a pair of bearing blocks 18, 19 (FIG. 9) which rotatablymounts a central shaft 20 which defines a horizontal central axis.

As best seen in FIG. 9, a turret 22 is fixedly mounted to the shaft 20so as to be rotatable with the shaft about the central axis. The turret22 comprises a plurality of elongate cracking units 24 which arecircularly arranged about the shaft and supported by the end plates 25and 26, and the intermediate plates 27, 28 and 29. There are sixteencracking units in the illustrated embodiment and the units extendgenerally parallel to each other and to the central axis.

Each of the cracking units 24 comprises an anvil 32, a cracking hammer34, and means mounting the anvil and cracking hammer in an axiallyaligned, opposed relationship to define a nut receiving openingtherebetween. More particularly, the means for mounting the anvilincludes a first air cylinder 25, a piston 36 slidably disposed withinthe cylinder, a piston rod 37 interconnecting the piston and the anvil,a first port 38 disposed adjacent the rearwad end of the cylinder, and asecond part 39 disposed adjacent the forward end of the cylinder. Aswill be apparent, movement of the piston results in a correspondingmovement of the anvil, either forwardly toward the cracking hammer orrearwardly therefrom.

The means mounting the cracking hammer 34 includes a second air cylinder42, with the cracking hammer being mounted for limited axial movement atthe forward end of the cylinder 42. As best seen in FIG. 11, thecracking hammer 34 includes a rearwardly facing surface 34a and aforwardly facing shoulder 34b, and is mounted by an arrangement whichincludes a sleeve 43 at the forward end of the cylinder defining aforwardly facing shoulder 44, and an insert 45 which is fixed to thesleeve 43 and overlies the forward end of the cylinder 42 and defines arearwardly facing shoulder 46. A pair of resilient O-rings 47 aredisposed between the shoulders 34b and 37, and the cracking hammer 34 isaxially movable the short distance between the two shoulders 44, 46 soas to compress the O-rings 47 in the manner which will be apparent inFIG. 11. In addition, there is provided a third port 48 adjacent theforward end of the cylinder 42, and a fourth port 49 which extendsaxially through the rearward end of the cylinder 42. Also, a freefloating shuttle 50 is mounted within the air cylinder 42.

The forwardly facing or opposed faces of each of the anvil 32 andcracking hammer 34 include a conical front surface, such that the endsof a nut N are adapted to be partially received therein, note FIG. 9, tothereby facilitate the clamping engagement and retention of the nut inthe manner hereinafter further described.

The control means for cyclically actuating the cracking units 24includes the end plate 25 which is fixedly mounted to the shaft 20 ofthe turret, and which is disposed adjacent the radial plane defined bythe rearward ends of the air cylinders 42. The inner face of the plate25 is fixed to the adjacent end of each air cylinder, and the outer faceis generally planar. The plate 25 includes four separate apertures 51,52, 53, 54 extending therethrough for each cracking unit, and whichcommunicate with respective ones of the four ports. Since there are atotal of sixteen cracking units on the turret of the illustratedembodiment, the plate 25 includes a total of sixty-four apertures, witha set of circularly arranged apertures communicating with respectiveones of each of the four ports. The four apertures 51a-54a for thecracking unit 24a are illustrated in FIG. 8, and it will be understoodthat the remaining cracking units have a like set of four apertures.These remaining apertures for the other cracking units are not shown inthe drawings for clarity of illustration. Also for clarity ofillustration, FIG. 9 illustrates the four apertures as being radiallyaligned, which is not totally correct since the aperture 52 is not inradial alignment, but is advanced 22.5°, note FIG. 10. Three air lines57, 58, 59 extend from the inner side of the apertures 51, 52, 53,respectively, to the first, second, and third ports for each crackingunit. The fourth aperture 54 communicates directly with the port 49 atthe rearward end of the air cylinder 42.

A circular plate 66 is fixed to the frame so as to overlie the outerface of the plate 25, and a felt pad 67 is interposed between the twoplates 66 and 25. A mounting plate 68 overlies and is fixed to the plate66, and a total of five bushings 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 are fixedly carriedon the frame by a mounting plate 68, and so that the bushingscommunicate with the planar outer surface of the end plate 25 throughaligned openings in the felt pad 67, which does not rotate. The first ornut pick-up bushing 61 is positioned at a radial location so as tosequentially communicate with each of the apertures 51 as the turretrotates. Similarly, the second or nut stressing bushing 62 is positionedso as to sequentially communicate with each of the same apertures 51 fora second time at a point downstream of the first bushing 61. The thirdor cracking bushing 63 sequentially communicates with each of theapertures 54, the fourth or nut release bushing 64 sequentiallycommunicates with each of the apertures 52, and the fifth or resetbushing 65 communicates with each of the apertures 53. It will beapparent that the felt pad 67 functions as a seal between the plates 66and 25. Also, each bushing communicates with a separate air line61a-65a, respectively, and with each such line extending through an airsupply bottle 70. The lines continue from the bottle through one of theair pressure gauges 71 (FIG. 1), and control regulators 72, mounted atthe front end of the apparatus, and then to a common manifold line (notshown). The manifold line preferably includes an air oiler 73 and an airfilter 74, and leads to a suitable air supply (not shown).

The nutcracking apparatus further incorporates means for removing theshell fragments resulting from the cracking operation, as well as forcollecting and separating any whole nuts which may be dropped in thetransfer from the feed conveyor to the cracking unit, or in crackingprocess. More particularly, the apparatus includes a housing 78 whichopens toward the nut receiving openings of the cracking units along theright side of the turret as seen in FIG. 2, and which corresponds to thearea in which cracking occurs as hereinafter further described. A vacuumline 79 is connected to the rear of the housing, which results in a flowof air around the cracking units and into the housing 78, to therebycarry away the broken shell fragments.

The vacuum system further includes a lower collector which is disposedbelow the cracking area, and which is designed to separate any wholenuts which may be dropped while being fed into the cracking units, fromany broken commingled shell fragments which are not caught and collectedby the upper vacuum housing. The lower collector includes an adjustablyinclined, metal bottom wall 80a which cooperates with a fixed wall 80bto define a nozzle 80c therebetween. A second vacuum line 81 isconnected to the chamber behind the walls 80a and 80b, whereby the shellfragments moving down the wall 80a are drawn through the nozzle andremoved, whereas the relatively heavy nuts move past the nozzle fordischarge through an opening 82 in the bottom of the apparatus. Alaterally directed nut discharge chute 83 (FIG. 2) is provided on theapparatus for conveying the cracked nuts to a suitable container orconveyor (not shown) adjacent the rear end of the apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention further includes means foradvancing and delivering a plurality of nuts individual in successionalong a linear path of travel to the rotating turret 22. This nutdelivering means includes a primary hopper 85 for storing a relativelylarge quantity of the nuts to be cracked. An endless feed conveyor 86 ismounted for movement about the shafts 88, 89, and includes an upper runwhich extends through the lower portion of the hopper 85 and along anupwardly inclined path of travel to a delivery point adjacent theturret. The endless conveyor 86 includes a pair of sprockets 90, 91mounted respectively on the shafts 88, 89, and a drive chain 92 (FIG. 4)entrained about the sprockets.

A plurality of block-like nut transport elements 95 are mounted insuccession along the drive chain 92. Each element includes parallelopposite sides 96, 97, parallel opposite ends 98, 99, and top and bottomfaces (not numbered). A generally semi-cylindrical receptacle 102extends laterally across the upper face of the element, and so as tocommunicate with both sides 96, 97 thereof. By design, each receptacle102 is sized to supportingly receive a single nut to be cracked which isoriented with its end to end direction extending axially along thereceptacle. Each element 95 further includes a longitudinal channel 103in the bottom face for receiving the drive chain 92, and a pair oftransverse pins 104 (FIG. 4) for interconnecting the element to thechain. Further, the element 95 includes a slot 105 which extendslongitudinally along the full length of the side 97, and which isdisposed parallel to the bottom face of the element. The slot 105extends laterally a portion of the distance across the element, andcommunicates with the receptacle 102 in the manner best seen in FIG. 5.The portion 106 of the top face forwardly of receptacle will be seen tobe inclined downwardly, so that the portion 107 rearwardly of thereceptacle in effect protrudes upwardly so as to catch the nuts in thehopper and knock them into the receptacle.

The conveyor 86 is powered by the motor 108 and drive chain 109, whichalso drives the turret 22 in the manner seen in FIG. 9, and such thatthe transport elements and thus the nuts move from the hoppertangentially past the circle defined by the rotating cracking units, ata speed corresponding to such rotational speed.

The bottom of the hopper 85 is defined in part by a pair of rectangularsupport members 110, 111 and a bottom plate 112, note FIG. 4. Arectangular channel is thereby defined between the members 110, 111,along which the elements move in succession note FIGS. 3 and 4. Themember 110 is disposed at an elevation somewhat above the member 111,and such that the side 114 of the member 110 serves to fully cover andclose the adjacent end of the receptacles 102 moving therealong. The topof the member 111 is disposed at an elevation generally corresponding tothe bottom of the receptacles 102.

The hopper 85 includes singularizing and orienting means to ensure thatany nuts in excess of one are removed from the receptacle 102 of eachnut transport element, and that each nut is oriented with its end to enddirection extending axially along the receptacle. This singularizing andorienting means includes a deflecting plate 118 which is designed forlaterally deflecting the upper portion of each of any upstanding nutsdisposed in each receptacle toward the side 96 of the element, as theelement moves through the hopper, to thereby laterally orient the nuts.The plate 118 has a forward edge 119, and a length sufficient to overliethe path of several nut transport elements. In addition, the plate 118is mounted in the hopper so as to overlie the path of the nut transportelements and such that the forward edge 119 extends diagonally acrosssuch path. The plate 118 is pivotally connected adjacent its upstreamend for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by theanchoring pin 120, and such that the plate may be lifted upwardly fromthe elements 95 in the event a foregin object, such as a rock, entersthe hopper and moves between the elements 95 and the plate 118. The pin120 is in turn mounted to the bracket 121 so as to permit its elevationto be adjusted, and thus permit the elevation of the upstream end of theplate 118 to be adjusted.

The singularizing and orienting means of the apparatus further includesmeans for laterally ejecting any laterally oriented nuts in excess ofone from each receptacle. This ejecting means comprises an arm 124,which is mounted in the hopper so that the arm extends a predeterminedlateral distance into the slot 105 of each advancing element, to therebydeflect each nut therein which is adjacent the side 97 and so that itmoves toward the side 96. The arm 124 is adjustably mounted by means ofthe mounting plate 125, and is typically positioned to extend into theslot 105 so that the distance between the innermost portion of the armand the side 96 corresponds to the average length of the nuts beingprocessed. Thus in the event two relatively small nuts are positioned inany receptacle in end to end alignment, the arm will serve to eject theone closest to the side 96. It will also be noted from FIG. 6 that theelongate deflecting plate 18 overlies the operative portion of theejecting arm 124, and thus serves to prevent nuts from lifting upwardlyfrom the associated receptacle 102 upon being contacted by the arm 124.

The hopper also mounts an upwardly inclined guide surface 130 which ispositioned on the support member 111 along the side 96 of the elements95, and downstream of the deflecting edge 119 of the plate 18 and theejecting arm 124. The guide surface 130 is positioned so as to contactthat portion of any nut extending laterally from its supportingreceptacle 102 on the side 96, and acts to move the nut back into thereceptacle.

It is preferable that the quantity of the nuts in the hopper 85 becontrolled, since an unduly large quantity, and the resulting weight,may cause the singularizing and orienting means to ineffectuallyoperative. In order to maintain a controlled quantity in the hopper,there is provided a secondary hopper 132 disposed adjacent to theprimary hopper 85, and a vertically adjustable gate 134 interconnectsthe two hoppers. Thus the position of the gate 134 between the hopperslimits the elevation and thus the quantity of nuts in the primary hopper85.

To describe the operation of the apparatus, it will be understood thatthe motor 108 acts to rotate the turret 22 about the central axis, andto advance the conveyor 86 so that the upper run moves toward the turretat a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the cracking units24. The nut transport elements 95 thereby move in succession through thehopper 85, and the nuts therein are received in the receptacles 102, andsingularized and oriented by contact with the plate 118, arm 124, andguide surface 130 in the manner described above. The nuts are therebyeffectively individually received in the respective receptacles 102, andoriented with their end to end direction being disposed horizontally andperpendicular to the direction of movement of the upper run of theconveyor.

By design, the nuts are moved in succession to the openings between theanvil 32 and cracking hammer 34 as each cracking unit passes a nutloading or pickup position which is located at about the 210 degreepoint of the circle defined by the rotating cracking units, i.e., 30degrees past the bottom dead center position. At this point, the bushing61 comes into alignment with the associated aperture 51 in the plate 25,and pressurized air passes through the line 57 to the first port 38 ofthe cracking unit. The piston 36 and anvil 32 are thereby movedforwardly, and such that the anvil operatively engages one end of thenut N in the opening, and with the force acting through the nut to movethe cracking hammer 34 rearwardly into contact with the shoulder 44. Theanvil and cracking hammer thereby serve to clampingly engage and retainthe nut in an end to end alignment therebetween, and to lift the nutfrom its receptacle on the feed conveyor 86. The frictional contactbetween the piston 36 and the walls of the air cylinder 35 serve tomaintain the forward axial position of the anvil during rotationalmovement of the cracking unit upwardly and away from the conveyor.

The nut is then advanced along a curviliner path of travel, i.e., thecircle defined by the rotating cracking units, and to a nut stressinglocation, which is located at about the 273 degree point. At thislocation, the bushing 62 comes into alignment with the aperture 51, andair again enters the first port 38 to compressively stress the retainednut. Immediately thereafter, e.g, at about the 283° point, the bushing63 comes into alignment with the aperture 54, and high pressure air isinjected through the aperture 54 and into the air cylinder 42, such thatthe shuttle 50 is thrust forwardly along the cylinder and impactsagainst the rear side 34a of the cracking hammer 34, causing thecracking hammer to sharply advance a short distance forwardly againstthe O-rings 47 and thereby crack the nut. The air in front of theadvancing shuttle enters the line 59, which is of relatively largediameter to accommodate the entering air without an undue build-up ofpressure. Also, some of this entering air is dissipated into the feltpad 67 through the aperture 53. Most of the loose shell fragmentsresulting from the cracking operation are drawn off through the housing78 by the vacuum line 79. Further, the cracking operation preferablyoccurs while the nut remains under compressive stress resulting from thecommunication of the bushing 62 with the aperture 51 as described above.

The cracked nut remains supported between the anvil and cracking hammerafter the cracking operation, and is carried to a release point, whichis preferably positioned at about 45° beyond the top dead centerposition of the turret. At this point, the bushing 64 comes intoalignment with the associated aperture 52, causing air to enter the line58 and second port 39, and the piston and anvil are moved rearwardly.The released nut then falls to the laterally directed discharge chute83.

As the final step, the bushing 65 comes into alignment with the aperture53 at a point downstream of the release point, causing air to enter theaperture and the line 59, and the shuttle 50 to return to its rearwardposition. The cycle may then be repeated as the cracking units movethrough the loading position to receive another nut from an alignedreceptacle.

As noted above, the regulators 72 permit the pressure in each of thelines 61a-65a to be adjustably controlled. As typical examples, thepressure in the line 61a leading to the nut pick-up bushing 61 isrelatively high, for example, about 30 psi, to assure proper movement ofthe piston 36 and anvil 34. The pressure in the nut stressing line 62ais typically about 8 psi, and the pressure in the craking line 63a istypically about 33 psi. The release pressure in line 64a typically about30 psi, and the pressure in the reset line 65a is typically about 8 psi.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A high production nutcracking apparatuscomprising,means for advancing a plurality of nuts individually insuccession along a first path of travel with at least substantially allof the advancing nuts being disposed in a predetermined orientation,means for removing the advancing nuts in succession from the first pathof travel at the terminal end thereof and advancing the removed nuts insuccession along a generally curvilinear second path of travel, andincluding means for clampingly engaging each nut during its removal fromthe first path of travel and advance along the second path of travel soas to preserve the predetermined orientation of each nut, and means forimparting a cracking force to each nut while being advanced along thesecond path of travel, and with the cracking force being applied in adirection corresponding to the clamping engagement of the nut.
 2. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for advancing nutsalong the first path of travel comprisesa hopper for storing arelatively large quantity of the nuts to be cracked, endless conveyormeans having an upper run extending through the lower portion of saidhopper and to a terminal end exteriorly thereof, and including aplurality of nut transport elements mounted in succession, with eachelement including opposite sides and a generally semi-cylindrical,laterally extending receptacle which communicates with at least one sideof the associated element and faces upwardly along the upper run, andwith each receptacle being sized to supportingly receive a single nut tobe cracked which is oriented with its end to end direction extendingaxially along the receptacle, power means for rotating said endlessconveyor means and such that said nut transport elements move insuccession through said hopper and to said terminal end, andsingularizing and orienting means mounted within said hopper foreffectively removing any nuts in excess of one from the receptacle ofeach nut transport element and for effectively orienting such nut withits end to end direction extending axially along the receptacle.
 3. Theapparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said singularizing and orientingmeans comprisesmeans mounted in said hopper for laterally deflecting theupper portion of each of any upstanding nuts disposed in each receptacletoward said one side of the associated element as the element movesthrough said hopper, to thereby laterally orient the nuts, and meansmounted in said hopper for laterally ejecting any laterally orientednuts in excess of one from each receptacle.
 4. The apparatus as definedin claim 1 further including vacuum means for removing at least asubstantial portion of the shell fragments resulting from the crackingoperation, and for separating any whole nuts which may be dropped bysaid removing and advancing means from such shell fragments.
 5. A highproduction nutcracking apparatus comprisinga frame defining a centralaxis, a turret rotatably mounted on said frame to encircle said centralaxis and comprising a plurality of cracking units extending generallyparallel to each other and said axis, each of said cracking unitscomprising (a) an anvil, (b) a cracking hammer, (c) means mounting saidanvil and cracking hammer in an axially aligned, opposed relationship todefine a nut receiving opening therebetween, and with each of said anviland cracking hammer being axially movable toward and away from eachother, means mounted on said frame for rotating said turret about saidcentral axis, hopper means for receiving a plurality of nuts to becracked, means for successively feeding individual nuts from said hoppermeans into said nut receiving opening of each cracking unit as eachcracking unit of the rotating turret passes a first circumferentiallocation, and with the nuts being effectively oriented so that the endto end direction of the nuts is axially aligned between said anvil andcracking hammer, and control means for (a) moving said anvil axiallytoward said cracking hammer to operatively engage and support a nutdisposed in said nut receiving opening and to move the cracking hammerto an axially withdrawn position upon the cracking unit passing saidfirst circumferential location, and for maintaining the forward axialposition of said anvil during movement of the cracking unit to a secondcircumferential location, and (b) sharply advancing the cracking headaxially toward said anvil upon the cracking unit reaching the secondcircumferential location to effectively crack a nut supported betweenthe cracking head and anvil, whereby the nuts are clampingly engaged andsupported between the anvil and cracking hammer of the cracking unitsand are withdrawn from the feeding means at said first circumferentiallocation and advanced to said second circumferential location, with theorientation of the nuts being maintained.
 6. The apparatus as defined inclaim 5 wherein said nut feeding means comprises endless conveyor meanshaving an upper run extending through said hopper means and to saidfirst circumferential location, said conveyor means including aplurality of nut transport elements mounted in succession, with eachelement including a generally semi-cylindrical, laterally extendingreceptacle which faces upwardly along said upper run, and with eachreceptacle being sized to supportingly receive a single nut to becracked which is oriented with its end to end direction extendingaxially along the receptacle.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6further comprising singularizing and orienting means mounted within saidhopper for effectively removing any nuts in excess of one from thereceptacle of each nut transport element and for orienting such nut withits end to end direction extending axially along the receptacle.
 8. Theapparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said central axis is disposedabove the upper run of said conveyor means and perpendicular to thedirection of movement thereof, and such that said upper run is generallytangent to the circle defined by the rotating cracking units at saidfirst circumferential location.
 9. The apparatus as defined in any oneof claims 5-8 wherein said control means further includes means forapplying a biasing force to said anvil upon the cracking unit reaching apoint immediately upstream of said second circumferential location, andsuch that the biasing force applies a compressive stress to the nutduring the application of the cracking force.
 10. An apparatus forsuccessively delivering nuts in a predetermined orientation to acracking head of a nutcracker or the like, and comprisinga hopper forstoring a relatively large quantity of the nuts to be cracked, endlessconveyor means having an upper run extending through the lower portionof said hopper and to a delivery point exteriorly thereof, and includinga plurality of nut transport elements mounted in succession, with eachelement including opposite sides and a generally semi-cylindrical,laterally extending receptacle which communicates with at least one sideof the associated element and faces upwardly along the upper run, andwith each receptacle being sized to supportingly receive a single nut tobe cracked which is oriented with its end to end direction extendingaxially along the receptacle, power means for rotating said endlessconveyor means and such that said nut transport elements move insuccession through said hopper and to said delivery point, andsingularizing and orienting means mounted within said hopper foreffectively removing any nuts in excess of one from the receptacle ofeach nut transport element and for effectively orienting such nut withits end to end direction extending axially along the receptacle, saidsingularizing and orienting means including (a) means for laterallydeflecting the upper portion of each of any upstanding nuts disposed ineach receptacle toward said one side of the associated element as theelement moves through said hopper, to thereby laterally orient the nuts,and (b) means for laterally ejecting any laterally oriented nuts inexcess of one from each receptacle.
 11. The apparatus as defined inclaim 10 wherein said deflecting means comprises a plate having aforward edge, and means mounting said plate in said hopper so as tooverlie the path of said nut transport elements and such that saidforward edge extends diagonally across such path.
 12. The apparatus asdefined in claim 11 wherein said means mounting said plate in saidhopper includes a horizontal pivotal connection adjacent the upstreamend thereof and such that the plate may be lifted upwardly from theelements.
 13. The apparatus as defined in either of claims 11 or 12wherein each nut transport element includes a longitudinal slotcommunicating with the full length of the side of the element oppositesaid one side, as well as with the associated receptacle, and with saidslot extending laterally a substantial portion of the distance acrossthe element, and wherein said ejecting means comprises an arm, and meansmounting said arm in said hopper so that the arm extends a predeterminedlateral distance into the slot of each advancing element and therebydeflects each nut therein which is adjacent said opposite side towardsaid one side.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein saidmeans mounting said arm is adjustable so as to permit the lateral extentof its entry into the slots to be selectively controlled.
 15. Theapparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said plate has a longitudinallength sufficient to overlie at least a plurality of said elements andthe operative portion of said ejecting arm, and such that the plateprevents nuts from lifting upwardly from the associated receptacle uponbeing contacted by said arm.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 10further comprising guide surface means mounted in said hopper downstreamof said singularizing and orienting means and adjacent said one side ofsaid elements for contacting that portion of any nut extending laterallyfrom its supporting receptacle axially back into the receptacle.
 17. Theapparatus as defined in either of claims 10 or 16 wherein each of saidreceptacles extends fully across its associated nut transport elementand communicates with both of its opposite sides, and wherein saidsingularizing and orienting means further comprises a side wallextending along the upper run of said conveyor means in said hopper soas to effectively cover the side of the receptacle opposite said oneside as the receptacle moves through said hopper.
 18. The apparatus asdefined in claim 10 further comprising means for delivering nuts to saidhopper so as to maintain a controlled quantity of nuts therein.
 19. Theapparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said nut delivering meanscomprises a secondary hopper disposed adjacent to said first mentionedhopper, and adjustable gate means interconnecting the secondary hopperwith said first mentioned hopper for maintaining a desired elevation ofthe nuts in said first mentioned hopper.
 20. A high productionnutcracking apparatus comprisinga frame defining a central axis, aturret rotatably mounted on said frame to encircle said central axis andcomprising a plurality of cracking units extending generally parallel toeach other and said axis, each of said cracking units comprising (a) ananvil, (b) a cracking hammer, (c) means mounting said anvil for limitedaxial movement between a forward position and a rearward position, andincluding a first air cylinder, a piston slidably disposed within saidfirst cylinder, a piston rod interconnecting said piston and anvil,first port means adjacent the rearward end of said first cylinder, andsecond port means adjacent the forward end of said first cylinder, (d)means mounting said cracking hammer coaxially in opposed relation withrespect to said anvil and for limited axial movement between a forwardposition closest to said anvil and a rearward position, and such thatthe anvil and cracking hammer define an opening therebetween adapted toreceive a nut to be cracked, said cracking hammer mounting meansincluding a second air cylinder, means mounting said cracking hammer forlimited axial movement at the forward end of said second air cylinder,third port means adjacent the forward end of said second cylinder, andfourth port means adjacent the rearward end of said second cylinder, (e)a free floating shuttle mounted within said second cylinder, meanscarried by said frame for rotating said turret about said central axis,hopper means for receiving a plurality of nuts to be cracked, means forfeeding individual nuts from said hopper means into said opening of eachcracking unit as each cracking unit passes a predetermined loadinglocation during rotation of said turret, and control means for (a)injecting pressurized air into said first port means as each crackingunit of the rotating turret reaches said loading location such that theanvil is moved toward its forward position and the force of thepressurized air acts through a nut positioned in said opening to movesaid cracking hammer to its rearward position, and to thereby clampinglyretain the nut, then (b) injecting pressurized air into said fourth portmeans as each cracking unit reaches a cracking location locateddownstream of said loading location such that said shuttle is thrustalong said second cylinder and impacts against said cracking hammer andthe resulting forward movement of the cracking hammer cracks the nut,and then (c) injecting pressurized air into said second port means aseach cracking unit reaches a nut releasing location downstream of saidcracking location such that said anvil is returned to its rearwardposition and the cracked nut is released.
 21. The apparatus as definedin claim 18 wherein said control means further comprises means forinjecting pressurized air into said third port means of each crackingunit at a location downstream of said cracking location and upstream ofsaid loading location to move the shuttle rearwardly and so that thecycle of operation may be repeated.
 22. The apparatus as defined ineither of claims 20 or 21 wherein said control means further comprisesmeans for injecting pressurized air into said first port means for asecond time at a point immediately upstream of said cracking location,and such that the nut is held under the compressive stress resultingfrom this second injection of pressurized air at the time of theinjection of air into said fourth port means and thus when the shuttleimpacts against the cracking hammer to crack the nut.
 23. The apparatusas defined in claim 22 wherein said cracking units have a common endlying in a common plane disposed perpendicular to said central axis, andwherein said control means includesa flat plate fixedly carried by saidturret disposed perpendicular to said central axis and adjacent saidcommon plane, said plate having one side facing said cracking units andan opposite planar side, a first set of circularly arranged aperturesextending through said plate and communicating with respective ones ofsaid first port means, a second set of circularly arranged aperturescommunicating with respective ones of said second port means, a thirdset of circularly arranged apertures communicating with respective onesof said third port means, a fourth set of circularly arranged aperturescommunicating with respective ones of said fourth port means, andbushing means fixedly carried by said frame and operatively contactingsaid opposite side of said plate for sequentially communicating witheach of said first, second, third and fourth sets of apertures.
 24. Theapparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said bushing means includesseparate means for sequentially communicating with said first set ofapertures at two separate locations representing the nut loadinglocation and the nut stressing location.
 25. The apparatus as defined inclaim 24 wherein said control means further includes air storagecontainer means disposed immediately adjacent each of said bushing meansfor storing a pressurized air supply to thereby facilitate thesequential injection of air.